put off
B1Neutral to Informal. Common in everyday speech and casual writing; less formal than 'postpone' or 'defer'.
Definition
Meaning
To postpone or delay something; to cause someone to feel dislike, disgust, or a loss of interest.
Used metaphorically for avoiding or rescheduling a task, meeting, or decision. Also describes the negative emotional effect of causing disinterest or repulsion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a separable phrasal verb (e.g., 'put the meeting off'). The 'postpone' meaning is more common. The 'disgust' meaning often involves a specific cause (e.g., 'put off by the smell').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Put off' is slightly more common in British English for 'postpone'; American English may also use 'push back'.
Connotations
In both varieties, the 'disgust' sense can imply a visceral or intuitive reaction.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both dialects for the 'postpone' sense. The 'disgust' sense is common but slightly less frequent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] put [sth] off[Sb] put off [doing sth][Sb] be put off by [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
- “He's a bit put off (slightly disconcerted).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We had to put off the product launch until Q3."
Academic
"The researcher was put off by the methodological flaws in the study."
Everyday
"I keep putting off cleaning the garage."
Technical
"The sudden voltage spike put off the sensitive calibration."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We must put off the garden party if it rains.
- His rudeness really put me off my dinner.
American English
- Let's put off the decision until we have more data.
- The graphic detail in the film put her off.
adjective
British English
- He gave a very put-off sigh when asked to help. (Rare, informal)
- She had a put-off expression.
American English
- I was feeling quite put off by the whole experience. (Participial adjective)
- A put-off customer is unlikely to return.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I put off my homework.
- The bad weather put us off going to the park.
- Don't put off making that doctor's appointment.
- Many tourists are put off by the high prices.
- The government has put off implementing the new tax law.
- His condescending tone put off potential collaborators.
- Procrastination is the art of putting off inevitably unpleasant tasks.
- Investors were not put off by the market volatility, seeing it as a buying opportunity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine putting an unpleasant task 'off' your desk and onto the floor, delaying it.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (moving an event to a later point); AVERSION IS PHYSICAL REPULSION (pushing something away).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Not 'одеть' (to dress).
- Direct translation of 'put off' as 'выключить' is wrong for lights; use 'turn off' or 'switch off'.
Common Mistakes
- *I put off to call him. (Incorrect) -> I put off calling him. (Correct)
- *She was put off from the idea. (Less common) -> She was put off by the idea. (Correct)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'put off' to mean 'disgust'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, 'postpone', 'delay', or 'defer' are preferred.
Yes, but it means to discourage or disgust someone (e.g., 'His arrogance put her off'), not to physically move them.
'Put off' means to delay. 'Call off' means to cancel entirely.
No. After 'put off' meaning postpone, use the gerund: 'put off doing'. The infinitive is incorrect.